The Judges Committee has awarded this submission

EXCELLENCE IN STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

PROJECT SUMMARY

During our bridge section, I wanted to build a bridge that would be sturdy and simple. The idea behind this was that a simple bridge could be just as good as any other flashy and complicated bridge.

WHY?

When doing this project I wanted to prove that the best bridges were not always the flashiest or the biggest. I wanted to prove that a simple bridge would be the best option economically and structurally.

HOW?

I started by choosing a plain canvas for the bridge, continuing on to put the least amount of pillars as possible so that it was inexpensive. Afterwards I realized that actually using more expensive materials in less amounts was cheaper so I went on to use more expensive materials with even less pillars.

WHAT?

I found out that around $490,000 was the cheapest I could make it with the available materials. And I proved that it worked by using simulations of multiple trucks and cars so that it was proven that the heaviest of trucks could pass through the bridge.

Engineering & Robotics Site22.mp4

SO WHAT?

I believe my results are important to poorer countries, for example, the one we live in: Paraguay. This is because we do not necessarily have the economy to build fancy bridges like the london bridge or the golden gate bridge, however we still need them. Which is why using simple bridges that serve the same purpose, are just as strong, and cost way less is what should be done in countries like Paraguay.

WHAT'S NEXT?

An especially good way to continue my project would be to look for another bridge building website, one with more tools and more possibilities. one that wasn't confined to only 3 materials that could be more efficient with money and my goal.

REFERENCES/ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

All the information I got about building the bridge was through trying different things out, so there were no outside sources for this, or in the whole project, because the idea to build a simple bridge, while it may be obvious that poorer countries shouldn't build anything too fancy, it was still an idea I got from my head to do this project.

JUDGES FEEDBACK

Outstanding project with a clear intention and focus: building a functional, aesthetically pleasing, yet economical bridge. You were able to accomplish just that by designing a bridge that poorer economies could afford. The detail of your analysis in regards to cost and materials was admirable. What could you add to your video to further market your innovative thinking?

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